Quotes from Charles Kennedy

A smaller-size party and parliamentary membership does not necessarily equate to lesser demands; if anything, the opposite can be the case.

With every day that passes, David Blunkett becomes more insensitive in his language and more intemperate in his actions.

We must restore faith in politics. Reform of the House of Lords is only one part of the answer, but it is a vital one.

As Liberal Democrats and proponents of federalism, we must put our heads above the parapet and recapture and disseminate the true meaning of federalism. We have to win the vocabulary before we succeed in the vision.

If you were to describe me as teetotal, on behalf of my constituency I'd have to sue; that would lose me every vote in the Highlands.

Useful lessons can be learned from our more successful local authorities - as you move into government, it is even more imperative to communicate speedily and persuasively with your members and your voters.

Actually, I think it's quite sensible not to take yourself too seriously.

Fair votes - fundamentally - are about the rights and the interests of the people.

During my campaign, people of my age and younger said consistently that they would not vote because their votes simply no longer matter and because no government or member of Parliament cared a whit about their problems and their striving for employment.

We opposed unlimited detention without trial. We stood up for trial by jury as well. And of course we spoke up for asylum seekers and for the most vulnerable in our society.

We believe that government in Britain should improve the quality of people's lives and improve the quality of our public services in every local community.

We would all rather see Iraq resolved successfully.

Political parties need to look at the different kinds of support that people may need, suited to their way of life, and provide cost-effective solutions.

The late Roy Jenkins was both a mentor and a personal friend. He was a man of both phenomenal intellect and political achievement in equal measure.

When power is exercised exclusively at the centre, the result is rigidity of rules and alienation of the people subject to those rules.

We are no longer a nation of one church; we are a nation of many churches.

Just as we Liberal Democrats opposed the flawed logic of that war in Iraq - we will oppose the flawed government claim that we have to surrender our fundamental rights in order to improve our security.

Music and politics are in essence about communication. Without over-stretching the analogy I do feel a sense of rhythm is important in getting your message across.

Politics is much too serious to be taken too seriously; equally, there are many aspects of it so laughable as to be lamentable.

Three simple words - freedom, justice and honesty. These sum up what the Liberal Democrats stand for.

I can hardly think of an occasion when I've got into a stand-up fight with any political opponent. I've got my views, people know what they are, they can agree or they can choose to disagree. I'm not going to waste time just rubbishing everybody else.

I will go out of this world feet first with my Lib Dem membership card in my pocket.

Britain is a European power. We cannot change our geography. Our involvement in the politics of European cooperation is one of necessity. Our wealth and our security depend upon it.

Tony Blair took us to war in Iraq on the basis of the supposed threat of Saddam's weapons of mass destruction.